The constitutional deadline for electing Kosova’s president expires today. Political parties have failed to reach consensus. As a result, the country faces the possibility of new parliamentary elections. Democratic Party of Kosova (PDK) leader Bedri Hamza met Prime Minister and Self-Determination Movement (LVV) leader Albin Kurti late Monday. The meeting sought a political agreement on the presidential election.
However, according to reporter Albina Haliti, the Democratic Party has made changes to the Law on Specialist Chambers a condition for its 22 votes. The party wants the procedure on the law to finish before lawmakers vote for a new president. Meanwhile, the Assembly’s Rules of Procedure require 72 hours between the first and second readings of a bill. That requirement could prevent lawmakers from completing the process within the constitutional deadline.
The Assembly may seek both a political and procedural solution during the day. Haliti said lawmakers could also depart from the rules to complete the Specialist Chambers bill sooner. She noted that the Assembly had previously made such exceptions. However, the Democratic Party has said it will not provide its 22 votes unless the bill passes.
According to the Constitutional Court, the 60-day deadline began on August 8 and expires today, October 6. If lawmakers fail to elect a president by midnight, the Assembly will dissolve. As a result, Kosova will hold early parliamentary elections. The Constitution requires those elections to take place within 45 days of the Assembly’s dissolution.
/a.p./
The post Kosova presidential deadline expires as Democratic Party conditions votes on Specialist Chambers law appeared first on RTSH.
